Hinduism: Beliefs, Texts, and Deities

HINDUISM

• Originated in India over 4,000 years ago
• Third-largest religion in the world
• Shaped by various traditions, texts, and practices with no single founder
• Considered a way of life rather than a strict religious system.

Core Beliefs

• Brahman: The ultimate, eternal reality; the supreme cosmic power
• Atman: The individual soul, which is part of Brahman
• Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara)
• Karma: Actions affect future rebirths
• Dharma: Moral duty and righteousness according to one's role in society
• Samsara/reincarnation: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

Sacred Texts

• Vedas: The oldest scriptures, containing hymns and rituals
• Upanishads: Philosophical texts exploring spiritual concepts
• Bhagavad Gita: A dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna about duty and devotion
• Ramayana & Mahabharata: Epic stories illustrating Hindu values

Major Deities

• Brahma: The creator god
• Vishnu: The preserver, with incarnations like Rama and Krishna
• Shiva: The destroyer and transformer
• Devi (Shakti): The divine feminine energy including goddesses like Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati

Hindu Practices

• Puja: Ritual worship at temples or home altars
• Meditation & Yoga: Spiritual practices for self-discipline and enlightenment.
• Each type of yoga focuses on a different aspect, such as knowledge, devotion, or meditation
• Pilgrimage: Visiting sacred sites like Varanasi and the Ganges River

THERAVADA BUDDHISM

Life of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

• Royal Beginnings: Born a Hindu prince (c. 563 BCE), sheltered in the palace for 29 years
• The Four Sights: Encountered an old man, a sick man, a dead body, and a wandering ascetic
• Renunciation: Left his palace, family, and wealth at age 29 to seek the truth about suffering
• Enlightenment: Attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at age 35 and became "The Buddha"
• Teaching & Death: Living a life teaching the Middle Way until death at 80 (Parinirvana)

Core Teachings: The Four Noble Truths

• Dukkha: Life is suffering (includes pain, dissatisfaction, and impermanence)
• Samudaya: Suffering arises from craving and attachment
• Nirodha: Suffering can cease by eliminating cravings, by letting go of cravings and attachments
• Magga: The Noble Eightfold Path leads to liberation

The Noble Eightfold Path

• Divided into Wisdom, Ethical Conduct, Mental Discipline
• Wisdom: Right Understanding, Right Thought
• Ethical Conduct: Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood
• Mental Discipline: Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration

The Dharma Wheel

• Symbolizes reincarnation and the Eightfold Path
• Central hub represents discipline and meditation
• Symbolizes the teachings of Buddha and the path to enlightenment

Sacred Texts: The Tripitaka (Three Baskets)

• Vinaya Pitaka: Rules for monastic life
• Sutta Pitaka: Buddha’s teachings and life events
• Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophical and psychological analysis of Buddhist teachings
• Lay Sangha: Devout followers practicing Buddhism in daily life

MAHAYANA BUDDHISM

Meaning and Core Focus

• Mahayana – Sanskrit for “Great Vehicle," emphasizing a path for all beings
• Goal - Complete enlightenment for everyone, not just individual liberation
• Bodhisattva Path – Focuses on helping all sentient beings reach enlightenment
• Actively engage in acts of kindness, charity, and helping those in need
• The main mission of the Tzu Chi Foundation is relieving suffering and creating a better world through compassion

The Six Perfections (Paramitas)

• Generosity - Charitable and giving nature, e.g. donating food and clothing to those in need
• Morality – Ethical and righteous living
• Patience - Cultivating tolerance and endurance
• Energy - Perseverance in spiritual growth
• Meditation – Developing concentration and mindfulness
• Wisdom – Attaining deep understanding and insight

Core Beliefs

• Multiple Buddhas – Siddhartha Gautama is not the only Buddha; others exist in the past and future
• Celestial Nature of Buddha – Buddha is viewed as a transcendent, divine being
• Secret Teachings – Advanced teachings were given secretly to select disciples
• Universal Help – Buddhas assist humanity in overcoming suffering

The Trikaya Doctrine (Three Bodies of Buddha)

• Dharmakaya – The body of absolute truth (Buddha as transcendent)
• Sambhogakaya – The body of enjoyment (Buddha’s blissful form)
• Nirmanakaya – The body of manifestation (Buddha’s earthly form)

Sacred Texts and Worship

• Sutras - Sacred texts, with the Lotus Sutra being one of the most important
• Offerings - Vegetarian food and incense are commonly offered at temples
• Practices - Meditation for liberation and pilgrimage to sacred sites

CONFUCIANISM

• Promotes virtuous living and harmony, founded by Confucius (Kong Fuzi)
• Emphasizes moral integrity, education, and social harmony

Life of Confucius

• Married at 19, supported his mother and disabled brother
• Served as an arbiter, assistant minister, and minister of justice in the State of Lu
• His teachings were later compiled into the Analects

Fundamental Teachings

• Learning to Be Human: Achieved through self-cultivation in four dimensions:
• Self - Personal growth and virtue development
• Community - Social responsibility and harmony
• Nature - Understanding one's role in the world
• Heaven – Living in alignment with divine principles
• Emphasizes living virtuously and acting according to human nature for the greater good by following ethical principles and fulfilling one’s role in family and society
• Learning to be human means living with good morals and respect for others

Classical Texts of Confucianism

• The Five Classics
• Book of Documents – Historical records of sage-kings
• Book of Odes – Poems about daily life and rituals
• Book of Rites - Describes social norms and government structure
• Book of Changes – Focuses on divination and the balance of yin-yang
• Spring and Autumn Annals – Chronicles political events of the State of Lu

The Four Books

• Analects (Lunyu) – Sayings of Confucius compiled by his students
• Contains the sayings and teachings of Confucius and his followers and discusses the character and influence of the noble person

SHINTOISM: Japan's Indigenous Religion

• Focusing on the worship of kami (spirits)
• Known for its focus on local shrines rather than a centralized religious system
• Emphasizes ritual practices over strict doctrines
• Coexists with Buddhism in Japanese culture

Origins and History

• Ancient Origins: No official founder or single sacred text
• Kami (spirits)
• Term Shinto means "the way of the gods."
• Sacred Texts: Kojiki and Nihongi document Japanese mythology and imperial lineage
• Nihongi (Nihon Shoki) - Japan’s first official history
• Modern Era: After World War II, the Emperor renounced his claim to divinity

Understanding Kami (Spirits)

• Ujigami: Ancestors of clans elevated to deities
• Nature Kami: Spirits residing in natural elements like mountains and rivers
• Human Kami: Souls of exceptional people who have passed away

Important Kami in Shintoism

• Amaterasu-o-mi-kami – Sun Goddess, ancestor of the imperial family
• Izanagi & Izanami – Creator deities (Sky god & Earth goddess)
• Susanoo - Wind/storm god and brother of Amaterasu
• Hachiman – God of archery and war
• Tenjin - God of education

Core Beliefs: Purity and Impurity

• Ritual Purification is essential to receive the favor of the kami
• Respect for Nature since kami reside in natural elements
• Physical Purity is prioritized over spiritual purity
• Shinto belief about blood being impure affect daily practices or traditions

Life Cycle Rituals in Shintoism

• Hatsumiyamairi: First shrine visit for newborns for kami protection
• Shichi-go-san: Rite of passage for children aged 3, 5, and 7
• Seijin Shiki: Coming of Age Day at 20, first time wearing adult clothing
• Shinzen Kekkon: Wedding rites, typically a small family ceremony

Purification Practices

• Followers perform purification rituals before seeking the favor of a kami
• Misogi: Ritual ablutions by washing parts of the body
• Harae/Harai: Shinto version of exorcism to remove impurities
• Purity helps a person maintain harmony with the kami and the natural world

Taoism (Daoism)

• Originating in China over 2,500 years ago
• Founded by Lao Tzu (c. 500 BCE)
• Emphasizes harmony with nature and following the flow of the Tao (Dao)
• Living in balance with the universe rather than imposing strict rules

Sacred Texts of Taoism

• Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing): Key text of Taoism, attributed to Lao Tzu
• Discusses the Tao (Way) and De (Virtue or Power)
• Zhuangzi: A collection of philosophical stories promoting spontaneity and natural living
• Nei Yeh: Early Taoist text discussing Qi (Chi), the life force of the universe

The Concept of the Tao (Dao)

• Beyond Definition: Indistinct, shapeless, and undetectable
• Creative Principle: The foundation of all being, existing before the world
• The Dao does not act but accomplishes everything
• The Dao is the origin of all things
• Sometimes called the "Mother" as it gives birth to all things

Taoist Deities

• Unlike many religions, Taoism has no supreme god
• Deities are representations of cosmic forces rather than rulers
• Jade Pure One: Supreme Lord of Heaven
• Supreme Pure One: Source of Taoist knowledge
• Grand Pure One: Considered a manifestation of Lao Tzu

Yin-Yang: The Balance of Nature

• Symbol of Harmony: Represents complementary forces
• Law of Reversion: All things shift between yin and yang in an eternal cycle
• Mindfulness Practices: Wu Wei aligns with meditation and stress relief
• Simplicity: Offers an alternative to materialism and complexity